During the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, chairing ASEAN in 2025, made a notable statement against the pressure to align with major geopolitical players. In his address, he emphasized the importance of remaining impartial amidst the increasing polarization between global powers such as the United States and China.
Singapore’s Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing concurred, highlighting that Southeast Asia’s engagement with these nations is not about choosing sides, but rather about adhering to principles that foster a sustainable global order. “If we must choose, it should be for principles that protect us from the rule of might, where the strong impose their will on the weak,” said Chan.
This reaffirmation of neutrality came in the wake of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s call for heightened military budgets across Asia-Pacific nations to counter perceived Chinese threats. Analysts like Da Wei pointed out that such efforts to drive a wedge between China and ASEAN are unlikely to succeed.
Hegseth’s advocacy for the U.S. ‘Indo-Pacific Strategy’ was criticized by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, which accused him of harboring a Cold War mindset that stirs discord and neglects regional desires for peace. Prominent scholars weighed in, arguing that the U.S. approach has only sowed division and insecurity across the Asia-Pacific, ultimately jeopardizing regional harmony for its gain.
Source: news.cgtn.com
